'Lectures in Museums, History in the Streets and 30 Points for Exams': HSE University-St Petersburg Graduate on Academic Mobility in Italy
Alina Baranova, graduate of the Master's programme 'Arts and Culture Management', spent a semester at the University of Rome Tor Vergata. In Italy, she studied among monuments and passed oral exams on a 30-point scale. Read on to find out about the peculiarities of academic mobility, the opportunities available to HSE University-St Petersburg students and Alina's professional plans.
Chance to Gain New Experience
My professional interests are directly related to culture, art and international communication. Rome is a unique city with the richest cultural and historical heritage, so for academic mobility in my field, it seemed perfect straight away.
Besides, I graduated from the Bachelor's programme 'Philology' with a focus on European literature. I didn't have any experience in studying abroad before, but I really wanted to get an opportunity to study foreign literature and culture in its 'natural environment'.
I looked at the academic mobility programme as a chance to broaden my horizons and gain new experience which will help me in my future professional activities.
Studies Among Monuments
I chose courses in the concentration 'Art History in Rome', and the study format in this programme was one of the brightest impressions of the semester. Most classes were lectures; however, many professors delivered them not in classrooms but in museums and in the city streets.
For instance, within the course 'Art Patronage over the Centuries', we visited the most important museums in Rome, including the first ever public museum. In the course 'Baroque Art', the classes took place in basilicas where you can still see the works by great artists such as Bernini and Caravaggio. And the classes in archaeology were held at the Rome forum and next to the Colosseum. Studying the history of European art among the monuments is an experience granted by the academic mobility programme which I will remember forever.
Oral Exams and Flexibility
The exam system here is very different from the one I was used to at HSE University. If at HSE, the final grade is made up of several elements (projects, home assignments, attendance and activity during the semester), at the University of Rome, the grade in the majority of my courses depended only on the final exam. All of them were oral, and they were assessed on a thirty-point scale.
The format of the exam period was interesting as well. For each course, the university offers several dates for the exam in advance, and a student can choose the most convenient. If you are not happy with the result, you can easily retake the exam without any problems or judgement. Such an approach gives students more flexibility.
Language and Adaptation
The adaptation went quite easily. In the Bachelor's programme, some of my classes were in French, and in the HSE Master's programme, the studies are fully in English. Of course, it is not the same as immersing yourself in the language environment, but such a background made the adaptation process much easier.
However, there were certain difficulties anyway. For example, at first, it was weird to hear professors speak English with an Italian accent. Besides, in my daily life, I often faced the problem that employees in shops, post offices and other organisations didn't speak English. I attended a free course of Italian at the university, learnt the basic vocabulary and phrases and, thanks to that, became much more confident.
How HSE Helped Before and During the Trip
HSE University-St Petersburg supported me greatly at all the stages of the preparation and the exchange programme itself. The International Student Mobility Office helped us with organisational issues before the departure: they held orientation meetings for the participants, where they covered the necessary documents, application deadlines and other important aspects of preparing for the trip.
The support extended to the period of my studies in Italy as well. I could always address the university employees, get a consultation quickly, make amendments to my curriculum or settle other questions.
The most useful were the knowledge of the history of art and museology gained in the first year of the Master's programme at HSE University-St Petersburg. It made me feel confident during the classes and helped me participate in discussions. But the most significant turned out to be the competencies developed at HSE University: independence, responsibility and aspiration to develop, which contribute to successful adaptation in different educational contexts, including the international one.
Italian Impressions
First of all, I admired the country's atmosphere: incredibly beautiful nature, mild climate, sunny weather almost all year round, orange and lemon trees, and greenery even in winter. Among all the places which I managed to visit, there wasn't a single unremarkable one! Even the smallest towns preserved the fascinating medieval architecture. Landscapes look just like we are used to seeing them in postcards or in films.
During a simple walk, you constantly stumble upon ancient ruins, antique basilicas or architectural monuments of world importance. Even after several months, I didn't stop admiring how naturally modern life and centuries-old history co-exist in the city.
I also like the local cuisine and the quality of food. And I will remember the Italians as friendly, open, smiling and emotional. In general, for me, Italy is the real south in every sense of this word. The life rhythm here is much calmer and more carefree. As for drawbacks, they are an irregular transport timetable and occasional strikes, which make it hard to get to the university sometimes. In some districts in the city, you don't feel very comfortable and safe, so it is important to take precautions. But these aspects didn't spoil the general impression.
Travelling to Different Countries and Cities
Beyond studies, I tried to spend as much time outside the house as possible. Firstly, I wanted to explore every corner in Rome: different city districts, visit museums, theatres and basilicas, walk in parks, attend concerts and musicals.
As it was my first experience abroad, I really wanted to travel. Through the academic mobility programme, I managed to visit 25 cities in 10 countries—several years ago, I wouldn't have believed that it was possible.
The brightest impressions, of course, are related to Italy. I was struck by the diversity of the country: majestic Rome, romantic Venice, sunny Sicily and the breathtaking Dolomites. As for other cities, I vividly remember Paris, Amsterdam and fantastic Bruges.
Looking back, I realise that this trip gave me not just academic experience but also an opportunity to see the world and broaden my horizons.
How Mobility Programme Defines Professional Goals
Participation in the mobility programme helped me to find out a lot and believe that it is possible to reach big goals if you try hard. Communication with students and professors from different countries taught me to adapt easily to new conditions, be more open to other opinions and feel more confident in international communication.
From the academic perspective, the programme also gave me a lot. As I could choose the courses myself, I focused not just on management but also on art history. This knowledge complemented my degree.
I also made sure that in the future, I would like to develop in the sphere of international cooperation and cultural ties. The participation in the programme allowed me to see the value of such initiatives first-hand and gain more confidence and hard skills. I see my future development in projects which unite people from various countries through culture, education and joint initiatives.
Never Give Up Opportunities
I would recommend not being afraid of applying and not giving up opportunities because of organisational difficulties. Of course, you have to make an effort and find time to prepare for the trip: collect documents, get a visa, settle lots of everyday issues and cope with the anxiety because of moving to another country.
For me, participation in the exchange programme was one of the most vivid and significant events during my studies. It gave me not just new knowledge and professional skills but also friends from different countries, unforgettable impressions, confidence and a completely new outlook.
The most important thing is to be open to a new experience and always say 'yes' to adventure and knowledge.
